Shani Davis is hungry for another gold medal. Davis is a 31-year-old Olympic veteran, and the man to beat at the 1000-meter speed skating event in Sochi. He is the reigning champion of the event, taking home the gold medals from the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
Winning the gold medal in this event for the third time is something Shani Davis is striving for. He wants his name to go down in the history of the Winter Olympics as the first male athlete to win a particular event three times in a row.
Shani Davis is considered the most popular male athlete in speed skating despite having a reputation for being remarkably unavailable to his fans and using what some consider introverted training methods. He usually trains without a coach, away from his teammates, like a lone wolf.
He has been recorded as saying that he prefers training on his own for his individual games but would consider joining team competitions if asked by the coaches.
The last two Olympics saw Shani compete in three events, the 500, 1000 and 1500 meter speed skating events. Sochi will see him try once again to win in those races.
“I go out there and try to win any race I’m in,” said Davis. “But I’m realistic. I know I’m not much of a 500-meter skater.
Davis has never medaled in the 500-meter, but he has taken home the gold in the past two Winter Olympics in the 1000-meter event. He has also taken home the silver in the past two 1500-meter Winter Olympic speed skating events.
Coach Ryan Shimabukuro has reportedly said that the 500-meter speed skating event is like a picker-upper for Davis. Coach Shimabukuro goes on to say that competing in the 500-meter will help Davis get rid of the ‘rust’, and prepare him for his main event.
Shani Davis knows all his competitors are gunning for him, but he’s determined to defend his title and make history.
Watch Shani Davis win gold in 2010 and 2006.
Image via YouTube